Why does Jimmy Carter Envy Kate Cavanaugh?

The title of this column could be "Jimmy Carter envies Kate's leadership abilities," or "How I went bonkers on 18th and Columbia Road N.W."
Both of these events actually took place on the occasion of the New Congressional Members family picnic. I was asked to provide the entertainment At first I thought they wanted me to tap dance (my next career), but the picnic organizers quickly informed me that they meant relay races and other games.
To do something different, I decided to be organized. I planned various relay races, gathered the necessary equipment, made up lists for the scavenger hunt, and bought prizes. I even rounded up a volunteer from The Earth Onion Woman's Theater who would come in costume to entertain the children with mask-making and mime. I put everything in the car early so I could avoid a last minute rush. However, what would life be without last-minute rushing?
The picnic was being held from 6 p.m. until dark at Rock Creek Park. John planned to meet me there as soon as the House adjourned for the day.
At 5:30 p.m. I jammed into the car the three kids, myself and the brownies minus the frosting which Patrick and Colleen had eaten off. Then I had to pick up the volunteer clown at 18th and
Columbia Road. I didn't think: I'd have any problem finding her; after all, she would be standing on the street dressed as a giant ugly duckling. But it was rush hour and I went up and down more one way streets the wrong way, made several (unknowingly, of course) illegal left-hand turns to the tune of Maureen screaming her head off and I still couldn't locate the theater. I was about to resort to screaming myself when a gas station attendant helped me after I hysterically blurted out my predicament So I finally found my duckling whose talents were well worth the search party.
Geography lesson to be learned from this is 18th Street N.W. changes into Adams Morgan Road at the 2500 block.
When at last our entourage got to the picnic, I collapsed - not really. I was rejuvenated and had a wonderful time. It was a regular family picnic with one exception: there were park police on horseback and Secret Service men in attendance. Amy Carter was there to the delight of all the other children.
Now you are probably wondering, "Why is Jimmy Carter envious of a person like her?" Well, he isn't - but it makes good copy.
After we ate, it was time for me to provide the entertainment which included a fatber-child relay. No Congressman or Senator was exempt. If they had no children or their children weren't there, they borrowed one from families who had extras. This was not an easy group to manipulate. Tony Beilenson of California wondered if he should carry his sixteen-year-old or if his son should carry him. As unruly as they were, I managed to get about twenty five new members of Congress to line up and follow my orders. There were two teams and each one felt they had won the relay, so they were all happy. M & M's were given as prizes.
So now can you see why President Carter might envy my political savvy?
We had several other activities, but mostly the picnic was an opportunity for the families to get together informally and become better acquainted.
June 15, 1977